26th August 2011

VCS Assembly News Update 26 August (Issue 70)

In this issue:
1. News
2. Dates for Your Diary
3. Funding News
4. Consultations
5. Compact
6. Career Opportunities
7. Important Reminders

1. News

VCS Assembly works to support Forums of Interest
The VCS Assembly has published details of a new 12 month post that has been funded to assist the Assembly's Forums of Interest (and any new Forums) to respond to new national policy and the challenges set out in the Decentralisation and Localism Bill. The VCS Assembly Board aims to support Forums of Interest as much as possible in order to limit pressures and maximise potential opportunities. To find out more about the new post please see details under section 6, Career Opportunities, below.

Assembly Performance Survey - Your Input Needed
The VCS Assembly and Shropshire Council are working together to try and adopt a new approach to performance, focused on outcomes and ensuring reporting is proportionate to value/scale etc. A questionnaire has been developed designed to cover a range of issues relating to performance. The results will be used to ensure that any new approach is based on comments and feedback from the wider VCS Assembly membership.
Please can we have responses by the 12 September 2011.
Please click on the below email to open the Survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/vcsperformancemeasures
If you have any questions relating to the survey please email VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk.

SIP Publishes Latest Newsletter
Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership has published its August newsletter. Please see attached.

10th August SIP_newsletter_issue_14 (584.94KB)

Free insolvency helpline and new HR service available
NCVO, in partnership with the Charity Finance Directors Group (CFDG) and insolvency experts MacIntyre Hudson and PricewaterhouseCoopers have opened up CFDG's Insolvency Helpline to provide support and benefit to the wider sector. This helpline provides specialist support for Voluntary and Community Organisations in financial crisis free of charge. For more information visit:
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/free-insolvency-help-line

NCVO launches good governance competition
You could win £1000 by entering the Winifred Tumim Memorial Prize for best practice in charity governance. Just tell us how you have used the Code for Good Governance to improve the quality of leadership in your organisation. Applications due by 5pm on Friday 15 September.
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/winifred-tumim-prize

Improvement to Microsoft's donation programme (from VolResource)
Microsoft's software donations programme has increased the number of titles eligible organisations can request to ten per two-year cycle, instead of 6, and requests can be made as needed, rather than only once a year. The type of charities covered has also been widened (with amateur sports and recreational organisations now included) and the minimum 'seat' requirement abolished. Note that all donations have an admin charge.
http://www.ctxchange.org/getting_started/entitlement/microsoft_landing_page.

Clarifying car insurance for volunteer drivers (from VolResource)
After months of negotiation between Volunteering England, the Community Transport Association and the Association of British Insurers, over 50 car insurance providers have confirmed that they do not charge extra for volunteer driving. The exceptions and contact details for those insurers which want to be informed of such volunteer driving taking place have been compiled and is available from Volunteering England's Good Practice Bank. See:
http://www.volunteering.org.uk/resources/goodpracticebank/Specialist+Themes/Volunteer+driving/

Exploring community resilience
A network of community activists, professionals and policy makers, supported by Carnegie UK Trust, has created a handbook which tells stories about how communities lived through a range of life-changing events, such as the Cumbrian floods. "Exploring Community Resilience is about inspiring communities across the UK and Ireland and beyond to plan for their futures." Additionally the Fiery Spirits 'community of practice' website aims to pool knowledge. See:
http://www.carnegieuktrust.org.uk/carnegie/media/sitemedia/Publications/ExploringCommunityResiliencedownload.pdf
http://fieryspirits.com/

Online voluntary legal advice service gets an upgrade (from VolResource)
The Initial Electronic Advice service run by the LawWorks charity enables voluntary organisations to submit brief legal queries to be answered by volunteer advisors drawn from member law firms. It is now using a new "social media-style system", rake.io, which it is hoped will provide more assistance more quickly. You need to register to use this, see: http://www.lawworksiea.org.uk

2. Dates for Your Diary

LOCAL EVENT Assistive Technology Market Place
All VCS Assembly Members are invited to an Assistive Technology Market Place to held on 16th September 9am - 12.30pm - Foyer, Shirehall. A "market place" demonstration of assistive technology will be held in the 1st Floor Foyer of Shirehall on the morning of the 16th September. The market place will include stalls from Tunstall, The Independent Living Partnership and The British Red Cross who will provide a display of their assistive technology equipment and services. Please come along to find out more information about how assistive technology could help you.
For more information contact:
Rebecca Smith, Assessment and Eligibility Team
Tel: 01743 255707
Email: rebecca.smith@shropshire.gov.uk

LOCAL EVENT HENRY Training
There are still a number of places on the group facilitation training 'Let's get Healthy with HENRY'. Course dates are 21st & 22nd September 2011, venue Shrewsbury. Please note that this training is only for participants who have already completed the 2-day HENRY Core training. Details are included in the attachment. For further information contact Gabrielle Jones, Family Care and Well-being, Telephone: 01743 254419.

pdf HENRY Lets get Healthy with HENRY 21-22 (211.19KB)

Mindfulness Course
A mindfulness Course is being run in Shrewsbury to support individuals experiencing stress. For more information please see the attached flyer. For further details telephone Fiona Robertson on 01588 638416 (an additional telephone number is included in the attachment).

pdf Mindfulness Course (243.95KB)

CIO v CIC v Charity v Social Enterprise Briefing.
The Change Consortium is hosting a CPD certified event. This year sees the introduction of the charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), a brand new organisational structure introduced in the Charity Act 2006. A new structure added to the mix, to bring a corporate framework and charitable objectives together. The CIO is the first legal structure of its kind created specifically for charities. The seminar will help identify what exactly is the difference between a Charity and a Charitable Incorporated Organisation or a Social Enterprise and a Community Interest Company? Which one would best serve your organisation's mission? And what are the advantages/ disadvantages of being regulated?
Date: Wednesday, 14th September 2011
Time: 10.00 - 3.00pm (including networking lunch)
Venue: Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP, 134 Edmund Street., Birmingham, B3 2ES
Cost:£95 per delegate including a light lunch and networking
To book: Telephone: 0121 533 7150, Email: ThePod@TheChangeConsortium.org
Or book online: http://thechangeconsortium.eventbrite.com/

Digital Communications Conference
Date: 28th September
Book: http://bit.ly/p9Lm62
On the agenda:

Social Media relations
Online community building
Managing your reputation online
Embedding/optimising social media
Measuring online impact
Using mobile/audio/video/games
Integrating on and off-line communications
Live opinion polls
16 expert speakers, 8 case studies and 5 advice surgeries

PQASSO, SRoI and Demonstrating Outcomes Events
The Charities Evaluation Services has several events in September including 'Implementing PQASSO', 'Social Return on Investment: an overview', and finally 'How to demonstrate outcomes in three days'. Find more information and book your place here: http://www.ces-vol.org.uk/index.cfm?pg=36

WMEN Events
Mainstreaming Equal Opportunities Within Your Organisation
22nd September 2011
Birmingham
9.30am - 12.30pm
Recipients of ESF and ERDF funding are required to demonstrate that they comply with UK equalities legislation, but do you know what this entails? Go along to this half day session to find out about the relationship between EU funding and the UK Equalities Act 2010 and how your organisation can comply with current legislation.

The Road to Europe 2020: addressing social exclusion and the impact on the third sector
29th September 2011
Birmingham
9.30 - 1.00pm
Earlier this year the UK Government published its plans for tackling unemployment and enhancing economic growth in advance of 2020. Understanding these plans is critical to understanding the future actions and policies implemented by the UK Government. Join WMEN for this half day event and get to grips with the Europe 2020 strategy, how it's influencing national decision making and what it means for your third sector organisation.
http://www.wmeuronet.co.uk/training/events-programme-autumn-2011/?utm_source=WMEN+News+Alert&utm_campaign=5e5789fa96-Promotion_for_Sept_events8_17_2011&utm_medium=email

Localism Conference 2011
Friday 9 December
Hilton Metropole Birmingham
Join NCVO on Friday 9 December at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Birmingham where delegates and speakers will look ahead and discuss how localism is evolving both outside and within the sector. You will hear from government ministers, policy makers and innovators in localism who will give you the knowledge and experience to tackle localism head on. Pre-register your interest and you'll be the first to find out when bookings open. Email Sarah Porter at: sarah.porter@ncvo-vol.org.uk.

3. Funding News

Capital Growth Fund Opens for Applications
The Capital Growth Fund, part of the Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF) portfolio, has opened to new applications. The SEIF is managed on the government's behalf by the Social Investment Business. The Fund is aiming to expand the role of social enterprise in the delivery of health and social care and can support the following:

Multi-agency partnerships, particularly voluntary and community groups wishing to use their expertise to provide services.
Existing social enterprises looking to expand into health and social care.
Groups of healthcare professionals, such as nurses or therapists, looking to form a social enterprise to deliver their services using the "right to request".

Under the Capital Growth Fund grants of £50,000 to £150,000 are available to social enterprises in England to help them deliver innovative health and social care services and support sustainability.
The deadline for applications is 16 September 2011.

Funding news provided by Gary Spence, External Funding Officer at Shropshire Council and the West Midlands European Network.

4. Consultations

Current Shropshire Council Consultations
All Shropshire Council led consultations taking place are listed on the Shropshire Council website. Current consultation are:

- Education for Shropshire - consultation next steps
- Review of Oswestry parish boundaries - consultation ends 15/9/11
- Homelessness Strategy - consultation ends 30/09/11
- Traffic Regulation Orders - ongoing
- Joint Housing Strategy consultation - ends 30/09/11
- A survey to inform a bid for superfast broadband in Shropshire
- AONB Sustainable Tourism Strategy - consultation ends 09/09/11
- Housing Strategy - consultation ends 30/09/11
- Online planning register

For details of Shropshire Council consultations visit:
www.shropshire.gov.uk/consultations

For PCT consultations visit:
http://www.shropshire.nhs.uk/Get-Involved/Current-consultations/

New policy directions for Big Lottery Fund
A government consultation has opened on proposed new policy directions for the Big Lottery Fund. One potential funding priority is "strengthening and increasing the capacity of the social investment market". There is some sector concern that the principle of "additionality", where lottery funding is distinct from government funds, is being weakened. Third Sector news item at http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/article/1086082/
Deadline 18th November
Consultation page:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/big-lottery-fund-consultation-proposed-policy-directions

Consultation: Housing Benefit reform
The government has launched a consultation on proposals to change the way Housing Benefit help those living in supported housing within the social and voluntary sector with their rent. They are seeking views to inform their policy development as they look to re-design the way in which Housing Benefit helps with the higher rents sometimes faced by those needing support to live independently, such as the elderly or those with disabilities. You can respond on-line and to send a formal response, you will need to register and log in.; this will allow you to return later to edit your response.
This consultation is open until 9th October 2011.
https://interactive.dwp.gov.uk/housing-benefit-reform-supported-housing

5. Compact

Survey results on local Compacts
Compact Voice has published the results of a comprehensive survey into the state of local Compacts in England, the agreements between the public and voluntary sectors. This is the first in what is intended to be an annual exercise to improve understanding and engagement.
http://www.compactvoice.org.uk/news/2011/08/16/research-indicates-88-local-areas-support-compact

Compact Awards 2011 Launched by Compact Voice
The Awards will highlight and recognise outstanding examples of partnership work between voluntary and community organisations and the statutory sector and provide an opportunity to recognise commitment to Compact principles and achievement as a result of implementing Compact-working. Compact Voice is inviting all those involved in Compact groups to consider nominating a person or group as an example of best practice around delivering better partnership working.
www.compactvoice.org.uk/awards
Winners will be announced during this year's Compact Week which takes place from Monday 7 to Friday 11 November 2011.

If you would like to become a Compact Champion please email me, Sarah Dodds, sarah.dodds@shropshire.gov.uk or telephone 01743 252740.

Have you got a Compact story? Email VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk and share it with others.

6. Career Opportunities

VCS Assembly Support Officer
We are looking for someone with experience of partnership working and facilitation to support the development of Shropshire's Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Assembly. You will work with the VCS Assembly's Forums of Interest (groups of organisations working on similar issues/delivering similar services). Support will be offered to help the Forums, respond to the challenges laid out in the Government's Decentralisation and Localism Bill and other key national policy and consultation documents.

Among other duties you will have responsibility for:
- Mapping current collaborative working arrangements
- Assessing future service delivery options and capacity to change
- Delivering presentations and communicating via a range of verbal and written methods
- Organising training and facilitating a range of support for the VCS Assembly's Forums of Interest

You should have excellent facilitation, communication and IT skills. The ability to work both within a team and independently will be important.

The person specification and job specification for this vacancy are available on the following web page:
http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/vacancies.nsf/(viewAll)/03F1BF1A5066D1C6802578F0007D0977

If you would like more information about the post please contact Sarah Dodds, VCS Assembly Coordinator on 01743 252740.

More career opportunities are advertised on the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership website. Visit: http://www.shropshirevcs.org.uk/

7. Important Reminders

News Items

VCS Assembly launches new email
The VCS Assembly Coordinator has been receiving an increasingly high volume of emails. The vast number of emails received each day means it has been difficult to deal with all enquires quickly. Many apologies if you have been affected by this. Please telephone 01743 252740 if you need support with any issues or have any unresolved queries. In order to address this problem a new email address has been set up that may be monitored by others (support has been drawn in from the Council's Partnership Team). The new email address is: VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk

News from CInCH
In line with the Government changes to the Health & Social Care Bill, CInCH - The Shropshire LINk, has applied in partnership with Shropshire Council to become a HealthWatch Pathfinder for Shropshire. CInCH is pleased to announce this has been granted and as of the 1^st August 2011 CInCH has become HealthWatch Pathfinder for Shropshire.

Shropshire's Community Directory
Is your organisation or group listed on Shropshire's Community Directory? If not, consider joining. To find out more visit:
http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/library.nsf/open/6CA9F33AA52819EB80257751004F07D1

Osyteers - Volunteering in Oswestry
A new organisation is being established in Oswestry to encourage community spirit and to get people helping each other. The 'Osyteers' organisation will be formally launched in September and needs more volunteers to join. If you would like to get involved or would like to find out more contact Mike Lade on 01691 650854 or email osyteers@yahoo.co.uk.

Funding

West Midlands Low Carbon Economy Programme
MEA has recently won a significant amount of funding to deliver the Community Strand of the West Midlands Low Carbon Economy Programme, and is partnering with Localise West Midlands. The funding runs until December 2011 and will help third sector and community groups from across the region develop sustainable energy projects and install renewable technologies. If this of interest get in touch with Simon Ross on 01743 277106 simon@mea.org.uk

Homelessness Transition Fund Launched
The Department for Communities and Local Government has launched a £20 million fund to tackle homelessness in England. Grants of up to grants of £250,000 are available to protect and enhance essential services for single homeless people.
The deadline for applications is 30 September 2011. See:
http://www.homeless.org.uk/fund

New initiative launched - CommunityForce
CommunityForce aims to support local charities and groups in the great work they do. It is a Natwest led initiative that will be providing three community projects in each area with awards of £6,000. The community itself will be invited to choose which projects most deserve to benefit. Register (by 4th September 2011) at:
http://www.natwest.com/communityforce

Future help for sector in England to prepare for enterprise
The UK government has announced a ten million pounds 'Investment and Contract Readiness Fund' to help charities and social enterprises develop the skills and infrastructure to win more capital investment and public service contracts, over 3 years from April 2012. Cabinet Office news item:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/%C2%A310million-kick-start-big-society-public-services

Events

Transformation of Adult Social Care - Live Life: Your Way
The way adult social care services are developed and delivered is changing and Shropshire Council is asking for your help to make change locally. A series of events have been held across Shropshire, throughout the summer, with one event remaining. The events aim to give you the opportunity to share your views and experiences, helping to develop the best range of services for the people of our county. The last event is: 7Feedback Event, Council Chamber, Shirehall, Shrewsbury 23 September- 9:30-12:00
Email: livelifeyourway@shropshire.gov.uk
Phone: 0345 678 9005
Facebook: Go to www.facebook.com and search for: Shropshire:livelfeyourway
Twitter: Go to www.twitter.com and search for: @livelifeyourway

SIP Launches Summer/Autumn 2001 Training Programme
Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership has launched its training programme for the Summer and Autumn. A copy is attached to the last Assembly newsletter. For more information about SIP visit the website:
http://www.shropshirevcs.org.uk

Introduction to sustainable funding
Tue, 20/09/2011 - 14:00
A half day workshop for those new to the ideas and concepts of sustainable funding
Venue: NCVO, London
For details and how to book visit:
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/training-events/funding-finance/introduction-sustainable-funding

Demonstrating impact - what it's all about
One day 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 11 October at Reviive, Unit 4, Knight's Park, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury SY1 3AB
Contact mailto:rosemary@furniturescheme.co.uk or rosemarycollie@yahoo.com

NCVO Trustee Conference - 31 October 2011
Booking for the VCVO conference has now opened.
Visit: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/trusteeconference2011 or contact Sue Beckett on 020 7520 3153, susan.beckett@ncvo-vol.org.uk

Trustees' Week 2011
This year's event will run from 31st October to 6th November. See Charity Commission news item at: http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/RSS/News/pr_trustees_2011.aspx.

Consultations

Time to scrap the patient records database?
The £7bn national database of NHS patients' care records is not fit for purpose and the government should consider scrapping it, the Public Accounts Committee has said. A consultation poll has been launched to obtain public opinion. See: http://www.publicservice.co.uk/default.asp

Views sought on state of sector independence (from VolResource)
The Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector, set up by the Baring Foundation, published its first consultation report. It invites views and evidence to feed into a report on the state of independence to be published later this year as the first of five annual reports. A key proposal is the creation of a "barometer" of independence. See news release for more background at: http://www.independencepanel.org.uk/pressrelease14july2011
Respones by 21st September: http://www.independencepanel.org.uk/

Compact

Compact Voice Reports on Cuts
Compact Voice has published information on the cuts made to voluntary and community organisations across England. Compact Voice obtained information using Freedom of Information requests issued to all local authorities. To see the results of their research follow the link below:
http://www.compactvoice.org.uk/cutsdata

Shropshire VCS Assembly Updates available
Compact working is still going well in Shropshire and the partnership groups established to tackle priority issues are meeting bi-monthly. To encourage influence from all VCS Assembly members, all meeting papers are published on the internet. See the latest update:
http://shrop.net/2shropnet/AToZOfMini-sites/V/VoluntaryCommunitySectorAssembly/PartnershipWork2011

As usual please send details of any events, news items and other opportunities you would like to share with others.

Best wishes

Sarah Dodds

VCS Assembly Coordinator

Telephone 01743 252740 Email: VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk

Website: www.2shrop.net/shropvcsassembly




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